Jasper Journal Q3 2020

OAK CROSSING OPEN FOR BUSINESS

FINDING HOPE IN THE DOWNTURN

by Brent Jasper

The Jasper Journal is a quarterly publication of Jasper Ventures, Inc.

Communicating, celebrating and engaging the people of Jasper Ventures, our clients and communities.

JASPER VENTURES INC.

101 Glenda St.

Whitehouse, TX 75791

903-939-1555

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

Maureen Kaiser

Elissa Thompson

JASPER JOURNAL EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Carrie-Ann Jasper-Yearty

Melissa Winebarger

Emily Davis

Jim Newberg

Joshua VanBuskirk

GRAPHIC DESIGN ARTISTS

Bright Creative

FINDING HOPE IN THE DOWNTURN

RESOURCES FOR CHALLENGING TIMES - 2020

OAK CROSSING OPEN FOR BUSINESS

NEW WORKSPACE FUELS TEAMWORK

SEEING GOD’S GOODNESS

THE ELECTION AND ITS IMPACT ON OUR INDUSTRY

EVERYDAY LIFE POWERED BY NATURAL GAS

VALUES AWARD WINNERS

BY BRENT JASPER PRESIDENT

At the time I am writing this, it has been five months since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. It seemed like everything would be back to normal a few months later. Surely our great country could overcome this and not be affected as severely as other parts of the world. The reality is that there is not going to be a sudden moment when things go back to normal. We will still be seeing residual effects of COVID-19 a year from now that are altering the ways that we navigate our daily lives.

COVID-19 has tested all of us in ways that we never would have expected a virus could do. A lot of our freedoms have been taken away, and that is something difficult to come to terms within a country where we fight to ‘let freedom ring.’ Every one of us struggles with control to some degree, which is one of the reasons it is so difficult to accept our current situation. Whether it is a mask requirement, your church canceling services, missing out on a special event like a graduation or a wedding, or losing your sanity because you have never spent this much time with your kids (this one is mine), we are all having to give up control and losing freedom to make simple personal choices.

Why do we struggle with control so much? Personally, when I am wrestling with control, I typically see my own selfishness revealed in that struggle. Amid a time when we find ourselves in less control over our daily lives, try focusing on the things that you can control. The easiest thing for us to control is ourselves, but often we want to control all the external things around us. My former pastor would frequently say, “Draw a circle around yourself and change everything inside that circle.”

Regardless of whether we can control this thing or not, it has been brutal on mental stamina and expectations, or hope for what is around the corner. It is easy to place our hope in something that is temporary or can be taken away, and then when that temporary thing or person is gone, so is our hope. I know I found myself disappointed in recent months over a missed vacation and other missed events and opportunities. I certainly have experienced disa-ppointment and sadness in the events that have occurred at Jasper Ventures.

But as much as I love Jasper Ventures and all the people who are a part of it, the next gas plant is not where I place my hope. I am so thankful that I have a greater hope in Jesus, or

else I would be consumed by a lot of disappointment right now.

I have also learned through life experience that difficult times require much perseverance to navigate in an admirable and healthy way. Romans 5:2-5 (NIV) says, “And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory (rejoice) in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Based upon these Bible verses, suffering and perseverance are on the pathway to where we find hope. Not only that, but we can even find joy in the suffering.

I have said multiple times that Jasper Ventures is going to be a stronger company on the other side of this. Romans 5 is why I believe this. As we go through these difficult times, we are building grit and character. Those are things that will go along with you for the rest of your days. My prayer for each of you is that as you go through times of suffering, whether it is personally or professionally, that you would all be able to find this kind of hope.

“AND WE BOAST IN THE HOPE OF THE GLORY OF GOD. NOT ONLY SO, BUT WE ALSO GLORY (REJOICE) IN OUR SUFFERINGS, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT SUFFERING PRODUCES PERSEVERANCE; PERSEVERANCE, CHARACTER; AND CHARACTER, HOPE...”

RESOURCES

SOURC for

CHALLENGING TIMES

2020 HAS NOT BEEN THE YEAR THAT MANY PEOPLE ANTICIPATED IT BEING. AS WE LOOK TO FIND HOPE DURING THESE DAYS, HERE ARE SOME RESOURCES THAT MAY SERVE AS AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO YOU.

MENTAL + EMOTIONAL RESOURCES

AREA COUNSELING CENTERS

Alethia Counseling | 903-561-8955 | www.alethiacounseling.com

Counseling offered for a fee.

Centrepoint Ministries | 903-509-9392 | www.centrepoint.cc

In-person Counseling with Ron Wells offered for a donation.

Samaritan Counseling Center | 903-593-9141 | www.sccet.org

counseling offered on a sliding scale.

Solace Counseling | 903-952-3757 | www.solacecounselingcenter.com

Counseling offered in person, by phone or online for a fee; ask about considerations of econoic hardship if needed.

RIGHTNOW MEDIA OFFERS NUMEROUS VIDEO RESOURCES, INCLUDING:

“Overcoming Emotions that Destroy” offers sessions on anger and stress to help you learn practical tools for managing these emotions.

BlueCross BlueShield offers Well on Target , an online tool and an app with resources and tips for managing stress, plus mental and physical health. Visit https://members.hcsc.net/wps/portal/wellontarget.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

SMART DOLLAR: Learn how to make the most of your money with motivating content, budgeting tools and creating a step-by-step personalized plan. Access on ADP or at www.smartdollar.com/enroll/ jasper4417.

EAST TEXAS FOOD BANK food availability 800-815-3663 or www.easttexafoodbank.org or any number of additional area food pantries. Find a list at www.903help.org .

BRYAN WHITE is an EDWARD JONES FINANCIAL ADVISOR with a heart for people who are dealing with financial stress. His email is Bryan.White@edwardjones.com and phone is 903-509-1004.

Don’t forget about the FREE LIFEMART MEMBERSHIP through BCBS that offers discounts at hundreds of retail places and on things like rental cars, discount memberships, and hotels. Find the info to sign up on ADP.

HEALTHCARE RESOURCES

You can call the free NurseLine to talk to a registered nurse about any health-related questions you have. Are you a new dad or mom? This a great resource to decide what to do about boo-boos and tummy aches. Call the 24/7 Nurseline number at 1-800-581-0368 (TTY 7-1-1).

Bethesda Health Clinic provides low-cost health care for those who do not use our insurance or if your spouse or children are not covered under insurance. Find more information at www. bethesdaclinic.org or call 903-596-8353.

Now that gyms are opening, it is a great time to utilize your free membership to The REC at Whitehouse. Stop by The Rec to sign up at 301 Terry Street in Whitehouse, across the field from the Jasper Ventures coporate office.

BlueCross BlueShield offers discount memberships to hundreds of other gyms as well. Login to your BlueCross Blue Shield account at bcbstx.com. After logging in, click “Fitness Program” on the left sidebar to get started. There are packages from $19/month to $99/ month that include different gyms nationwide.

OAK CROSSING OPEN FOR BUSINESS

BY CARRIE-ANN JASPER-YEARTY, Vice President of People

We are excited to announce the official opening and dedication of our two new buildings on the Jasper Ventures Whitehouse campus. The new buildings provide functional space for our employees to work and collaborate, as well as a beautiful venue for our community to gather. The naming of the venue, Oak Crossing, points us to the great oak tree that was carefully preserved during the construction process. In Joshua chapter 24, we find the tribes of Israel gathered to reflect on God’s provision and deliverance and committing to faithfully serve the Lord and obey him. In verses 25 and 26, Joshua made a covenant with the people to incline their hearts to the Lord, wrote these

words in the book of the law of God, and then placed a large stone under the oak tree near the holy place of the Lord. As a company, we have seen God’s provision – His divine guidance – for more than 28 years. As we dedicate these buildings to His use and glory, we want to make this same covenant: to faithfully serve the Lord our God and obey him. We hope that each time you pass under this oak tree to attend a meeting or an event at Oak Crossing, you will be reminded of this covenant and you will consider how God has gifted each one of you specifically and uniquely to do the work you do here at Jasper Ventures, and that you will be encouraged to do it excellently.

NEW WORKSPACE FUELS TEAMWORK

Iwas traveling through Oklahoma on spring break when the pandemic became serious in the eyes of most Americans, and we began to work remotely. You do not realize the challenges that exist when you cannot just walk to another employee’s office or cubicle and have a simple discussion. Zoom meetings helped the situation but did not give you the same effect as a good face-to-face meeting.

Returning to work provided some normality, but you could not help noticing that many of your friends were no longer at work. I saw that great progress had been made on our new office. I had mixed emotions and questioned if the new building was even necessary, especially in times like this. It took about a week to understand why the new building was so important.

It was neat to see the collaboration that was happening between the different groups within engineering. My programmers were constantly working with process engineers and the

BY JIM NEWBURG, Automations Manager

instrument group. Drafting was in and out of people’s cubicles and offices. This new building allowed all the right people to work closely without emails or phone calls. Work happens more efficiently and with less confusion.

One of the challenges that comes from working in the field is getting information from the office. There were many times since moving into the building, I had to call in from the field and found that multiple disciplines were able to quickly support me and my team as we faced challenges. This is critical to the success of our company, as we are in the customer’s eye, therefore quick resolutions and answers give the customer confidence.

While we may have been hesitant on our new building, it has been a blessing. The blessing comes in the form of collaboration and teamwork. It is a powerful thing to witness as different disciplines pull together to resolve issues in minutes that could have previously taken days or weeks.

SEEING GOD’S SEEING GOD’S

BACKPACKS

Our Whitehouse office gathered in August to stuff backpacks with school supplies for the Back to School Health Fair. We were able to stuff 185 backpacks for local kids in Whitehouse. All told, 434 backpacks were given away at the event. Thanks to everyone who participated!

TAKING OWNERSHIP IN THE FACE OF COVID

When the Veritas coatings department was forced to quarantine due to potential COVID-19 exposure, things were suddenly left in a lurch. A pipe rack had been completely blasted and was ready for priming. In order to prevent future rust problems, the rack had to be primed within a specific time frame. All but one member of the coatings department had been sent home: superintendent, Jimmy Forgy. In the extreme heat of late July and under unforeseen and undesirable circumstances, Jimmy took ownership and got to work priming.

“I am not the type to seek praise for doing my job and in this case, I felt as if this was my responsibility not only to Jasper Ventures but to my coatings department as well,” Jimmy said. “Did I really want to do it? No, but I knew in the long run it would help keep things on track when my crew was able to come back to work. Things like this help keep me humble in my position as a manager plus it reminds me of how hard my crew works for me every day.”

Thanks, Jimmy, for stepping up to the plate, taking ownership, and getting it done!

GOD’S

GOODNESS GOD’S GOODNESS

COMPLETING JOB 423

The plant known as Black River III came to completion at the tail end of summer. One thing that stood out to Field Superintendent Jeremy Cartwright was the scheduling successes. Each discipline from engineering to piping design to the shop completed their portion of the project on time, which added up to a smooth process of completing construction in the field. Way to go, JV team!

GROWING NEW SKILLS IN A NEW ROLE

Congratulations to Jeremy Carrizales on his new role at Jasper Ventures! Jeremy came to work as a Pipe Fitter in the Veritas shop in June 2017. This past July, Jeremy transitioned to the Plant Design and Piping department as a Pipe Designer. Jeremy is enrolled in drafting courses at Tyler Junior College. We’re proud of you, Jeremy!

ELECTION and its impact on our industry

BY RICHARD KILE, Accounting Manager

WHY IS VOTING IMPORTANT FOR AMERICANS?

Many people fought their whole lives for the right to vote that we all too often take for granted today. Voting is viewed as our “civic duty” and the easiest way for us to help to affect the change that we desire. We forget that democratic republics are relatively new in the grand scheme of things and we are very fortunate to be part of the best example in the history of the world!

WHY DO LOCAL ELECTIONS MATTER?

When people think about voting, they usually jump straight to the presidential elections in their minds. However, the more local the election, the more power your voice has. These elections are held annually and generally have an extremely low turnout. Elections for state offices are held every two years.

During the 2020 primary elections, there was only a 28.5% voter turnout for Smith County. Just think what a difference there could have been if the remaining 71.5% voted. Your city and county elected officials will directly impact things close to home. For instance, you don’t like the traffic in Tyler? Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Transportation Policy Committee, which is made up of city and county elected and appointed officials, just made a decision related to how traffic will be routed and flow for years to come.

Your local representatives help to set the tone for your area. This, in turn, bleeds over into the state level and helps to guide our state representatives (who you also elect). Texas is one of the few states that operates on a surplus budget. This is because Texans, historically, have been in favor of fiscal responsibility and small government. Your vote helps to keep it that way or change it depending on which end of the spectrum you fall on.

HOW DOES THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WORK?

After you cast your ballot for president, your vote goes to a statewide tally. In 48 states and Washington, D.C., the winner gets all the electoral votes for that state. Maine and Nebraska assign their electors using a proportional system. Each state gets as many electors as it has members of Congress (House and Senate). Including the three electors from Washington, D.C., there are currently 538 electors in all, and Texas is allotted 38 of those electoral college votes.

The electoral college was put in place to keep an extremely populated state or group of states from controlling the nation. Without the electoral college, the four most populous states (CA, TX, FL and NY) would virtually decide every election as they make up almost 33% of the country’s population.

HOW WILL THE 2020 ELECTIONS EFFECT THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY AT LARGE?

The 2020 elections will have a profound impact on global energy markets and broad implications for US trade, foreign, energy, and climate policies. More than three out of four executives in the oil and gas industry say the potential election of a Democrat in the November presidential election is a threat to their companies’ economic well-being, according to a survey of members of the Texas Oil and Gas Association.

Overall, association members are optimistic about the prospects for global economic growth, suggesting that May 2020 was a low point for oil prices and for the world economy. Most respondents predicted oil prices will be higher next year. But the survey, conducted in July by the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs, working with TXOGA and covering the upstream, midstream, downstream and service sectors, found that association members view a potential Biden victory as comparable to a continuing oversupply and weakened demand for oil and gas.

Among respondents, 76% said they have a “great deal” or “good deal” of concern over the potential threat a Biden election represents to their company’s future economic growth; 75% said the same about a continued glut of oil and natural gas and 73% said that about continued weak demand. Just 11% view Donald Trump’s potential re-election as a threat to their business.

Republicans are pushing for deregulation, increased/maintained production, and a more natural, free-market approach to combat climate change. The main prevailing thought here is that the free market constantly looks for more efficient and clean ways to do things while maintaining the bottom line.

The Democrats choose to take a more head-on approach calling for increased regulation, government incentives, and legal requirements for companies to move away from fossil fuels. The goal here is to rapidly and intentionally reduce our carbon footprint in order to slow or even turn around the effects of global warming. The right argues that making all the changes the left wants would lead to the destruction of the global economy the likes of which the world has never seen. The left argues that without immediate and extreme action, the world’s climate is doomed.

What does all this mean for natural gas specifically? No one really knows at this point, but if calmer heads prevail, it could mean good news is on its way. Natural gas could potentially be the compromise as it’s a very clean mode of energy compared to other fossil fuels such as coal and exponentially more efficient at this point than the popular “green” options of wind and solar power.

powered by NATURAL

Most may not realize that the products we by-products. What we do here at Jasper Ventures

Without natural gas, life as we

HOME

ASPIRIN EYEGLASSES

TOOTHBRUSH/TOOTHPASTE

DIAPERS

BAND-AIDS

TOILET SEATS

LAUNDRY DETERGENT

CREDIT CARDS

Most know that natural gas fuels heating and cooling systems in their homes, but as you can see it does so much more than that!

CAR

BUMPER WIPER BLADES

SEATBELTS

BATTERY CASE

AIRBAGS

ANTIFREEZE

INTERIOR CUSHIONS

WINDSHIELD

Fifty percent of a car is made from natural gas, but it only accounts for ten percent of the actual weight of the car.

EVERYDAY LIFE

NATURAL GAS

use daily are made from natural gas and its Ventures greatly affects the lives of Americans every day. we know it today would not exist.

BUSINESS RECREATION

TELEPHONES

KEYBOARDS

EARPHONES

BALLPOINT PENS

PROPANE

ELECTRICAL TAPE

COFFEE MAKERS

CELLPHONES

Businesses also choose natural gas to fuel their electricity, heating and cooling systems because it is more cost-effective and environment friendly.

FISHING BOATS, LURES + RODS

TENNIS RACQUETS

INSECT REPELLENT

SWIMMING POOLS

CAMERAS

GOLF BALLS

VIDEO GAME CONSOLES

SOCCER BALLS

Everyone loves some form of recreational activity, but without natural gas, we would not be able to enjoy any of it.

VALUES AWARD WINNERS

SUMMER CAMP highlights

MITCHELL MONTGOMERY

Pre-camp feeling: Mitchell was nervous until he arrived and saw all the amazing activities.

Favorite things about camp: The worship music and new friends.

What did he learn: That he is a bit scared of heights and how to lead someone to Jesus.

JERROD CARTWRIGHT

Pre-camp feeling: Before heading to camp, Jerrod was nervous as he did not know what to expect.

Favorite things about camp: There is not just one. He loved swimming, barn swing, and marksmanship.

What did he learn: How to work with other kids to escape from a room.

ALLISON AYALA

Pre-camp feeling: Allison said she was nervous because she would be far from home and had never been to camp before.

Favorite things about camp: Riding horses, nerf gun battle, canoeing. She also loved her counselor and newly made friends.

What did he learn: Allison learned that everyone should be treated equally and work together.

Mitchell, Jerrod and Allison all want to thank Jasper Ventures and Pine Cove for an incredible camp experience. They all hope to attend again in the future.

FITNESS CHALLENGE: GET MOVING!

Want to get competitive with your co-workers? Then join our JV Family Fitness challenge! This is a great opportunity to encourage, challenge and smack-talk your co-workers. You can still participate in the challenges by going to the QR code and requesting to join our private Facebook group.

BEST COMPANIES AWARD

Beginning in September of 2018, Jasper Ventures participated in the Best Companies Survey for Texas. The first year we did well, and received a lot of feedback, but didn’t quite hit where we wanted. Managers and leaders spent the next year improving the categories employees said needed the most work. All that work paid off, and for the 2019 survey, Jasper Ventures was named one of the Best Companies to Work for in Texas. Here are just a few of the ways our team was recognized for:

• 87 percent saw improvement in planning.

• 98 percent like the work they do .

• 97 percent say their leader recognizes their work.

• 96 percent say leaders regularly live out our core values.

• 98 percent say leaders treat them with respect

We are quickly approaching the 2020 survey, so be on the lookout for more information! Please use this survey as an opportunity to let our leadership know how to make Jasper Ventures an even better place to work.

VISION:

We are a Christ-centered family of companies creating unparalleled value for our employees, clients and communities.

MISSION:

We serve the midstream oil and gas industry by providing customized, cost-effective, full-service solutions in the areas of engineering, design, construction, installation, operations and leasing.

INTEGRITY

We are devoted to honest and transparent business practices.

SERVICE

We cultivate a spirit of service toward one another, our clients and community.

EXCELLENCE

We strive to do things right the first time.

RESPONSIVENESS

We address needs and react quickly.

OWNERSHIP

We encourage every employee to think like an owner.

INNOVATION

We promote creative thinking, imaginative solutions and continuous learning.

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101 Glenda St. Whitehouse, TX 75791

jasperventuresinc.com

903-939-1555